‘Making peace with nature is the defining task of the 21^st century’. 

Spring 2021

This is according to United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres in a speech given recently at Columbia University, New York. 

According to Guterres, ‘Humanity is waging war on nature, and nature always strikes back.  It is already doing so with growing force and fury.  In addition, the fallout of the assault on our planet is impeding our efforts to eliminate poverty and imperiling food security.’

‘Nature needs a bailout. In overcoming the pandemic, we can also avert climate cataclysm and restore our planet.  It is time to flick the “green switch”.  We have a chance to not simply reset the world economy but to transform it.’ 

‘Warming beyond 1.5°C will substantially increase the risk of global species extinctions.   Ocean heat is at record levels. Extreme heat, wildfires, and floods, as well as a record-breaking Atlantic hurricane season, have affected millions of people. Climate impacts are compounding threats to human health, security and economic stability posed by COVID-19.  Even with pandemic lockdowns slowing economic activity, atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases continued to rise.  Around 7 million people die every year from exposure to polluted air.’

‘Protect the most vulnerable’ was an admonition from Guterres, ‘Now is the time to transform humankind’s relationship with the natural world – and with each other. And we must do so together.’

‘This is a moment of truth for people and planet alike. COVID and climate have brought us to a threshold.  We cannot go back to the old normal of inequality, injustice and heedless dominion over the Earth. Instead, we must step towards a safer, more sustainable and equitable path.

‘Every one of us can help limit global warming and take care of our planet. By changing our habits and making choices that have less harmful effects on the environment, we have the power to confront climate challenge and build a more sustainable world.’

The underlying cause of the planet’s problems result from its thoughtless treatment of nature.  This includes animal agriculture, conventional agricultural practices, and the unjust treatment of the most vulnerable – those of other species.  The results of failure to live in peace with nature are zoonotic disease, (75 % of emerging disease is zoonotic), wasteful use of scarce resources.  Animal agriculture uses vast quantities of water and deforested land while climate change is causes drought.

“Global food production threatens climate stability and ecosystem resilience and constitutes the single largest driver of environmental degradation and transgression of planetary boundaries.  A radical transformation of the global food system is urgently needed.”  The Lancet.

“The animal protein culture, conventionally viewed as improved consumption in a “nutrition transition”, has serious environmental and health consequences.”  The Lancet

Seven million people die every year from air pollution.  Animal agriculture is responsible for methane which holds heat in the atmosphere more effectively than carbon dioxide.  In addition, animal agriculture causes air pollution from ammonia, nitrous oxide, methane, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide.  This is in addition to water and land pollution.  Manure laden with disease, chemicals, antibiotics and hormones is polluting rivers and water tables worldwide, poisoning soils and contaminating waterways.

The single most effective way to eliminate the majority of the problems faced today – food insecurity, hunger, poverty, climate change, disease, habitat loss and species extinction is the plant-based diet, and elimination of exploitation of the most vulnerable – those of other species.

The recent EAT-Lancet Commission advocates plant-based foods.  “Eating plants directly rather than in meat, dairy, eggs, much less of the crop is required to deliver the same amount of protein, without the pollution and pandemics.”

It takes up to 16 times more farmland to sustain a person on a diet of animal protein than on a diet of plant protein.  This is in addition to the copious amount of water used in animal agriculture.  Slaughter alone uses huge amounts of water, approximately 450 gallons per 1,00 pounds of deceased flesh.  Nine billion gallons of water are used per year for slaughter in the United States alone.  Chickens require nine gallons per bird.  This is while climate change is causing droughts.  This heedless dominion over the Earth is simply not sustainable. 

Agriculture should work with nature.  Veganic Agriculture in North America, Stock-Free Organic Agriculture in Europe, and Sustainable Agriculture in India all use natural practices, with no disease causing animal inputs, or expensive fertilizers and pesticides.  They use safe green manures, and crop rotation for fertilizer and pest control.  It is more healthful and more lucrative for farmers.  Their gross income is less, but the net income is more since there are no dangerous and expensive fertilizers and pesticides.  Unfortunately, this growing movement is thwarted by the power of agribusiness and its official support from governments and the development industry.

Currently in the world today, the non-human population outnumbers human population by literally billions.  This is not because of wild animal populations – species extinction and habitat destruction are causing these individuals to quickly disappear.  It is the individuals raised in the horrific conditions that breed disease and suffering – animals raised and murdered for human food.  Factory Farms and Aqua Culture breed disease and are destroying nature, people, other sentient beings, and the planet.

Assuming human superiority over Nature, and our fellow travelers on spaceship Earth, is the root cause of the predicament we are facing today.  It is only when pride is surpassed by compassion will these deadly dilemmas be overcome.

Vegan International Founder, Sharon L. Wallenberg, has written a new book called ‘Transitioning To A Plant-Based Lifestyle’ full of scientific facts on diet and health as well as a world view of current lifestyle choice issues and how they affect the planet, and tips on living a happier, more fulfilling and compassionate life.  It has entered the Publishing process, and will be available for purchase on Amazon soon.  Proceeds will benefit Vegan International.